Name change argument continues

Yesterday, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office cancelled the Washington Redskins' trademark registration.  Now this is not a major, game changing event, since it has happened before, and the Redskins were able to appeal the decision and get the trademark back, which is most likely what they are going to do this time.  What it did do, however, was to add more fuel to the fire regarding the changing of the name.  I had previously made a post about this, but it appears that I have to make another one.

Ever since the news of the trademark hit, I have been talking with my friends about this, and we have gone through and argued a lot of the points both for and against a name change.  I have been, and continue to be, firmly against a name change.  I say that not only because I am a fan of the Washington Redskins, but also because of what may result if the team was forced to change the name because of how some feel about the name.  In order to present my argument, I will go through several points and try to explain my position :

First, and the major point that has to be realized.  The NFL is a private business.  The Washington Redskins are a privately owned part of that private business.  What does that mean?  It means they can name their team whatever the hell they want.  They can call it the Washington N-words.  There is nothing anyone can do to stop them, legally.  If their name is offensive, or what they do is offensive, much like Sterling in the NBA, then the consumers and the players much speak out and boycott the team in order to make a change.  If people stop buying gear and stop going to games, and if players stop wanting to come to DC to play, because of the name, then Dan Snyder will change the team name in a split second.  As a business, the only thing that really matters to Snyder and the NFL is the profit.  The Redskins are one of the most profitable sports franchisees in the world.  As long as they continue to make money off of the name, they will continue to use it, unless Snyder has a change of heart, which does not appear to be the case.

Second.  Last time I checked, we lived in a Democracy.  That basically means that majority rules.  The majority of people don't have a problem with the name, which is why the Redskins are so profitable.  This majority is both Native Americans and other people.  Much like in politics, people vote to voice their opinions, but in this case, they vote with their money.  If they buy a product, then they are supporting the makers/producers and their views.  If people are offended by the team name, then they need to voice their opinions by not purchasing gear or watching games, and to persuade their family and friends to do the same.  Change will only happen if people voice their opinions and back them up, one person at a time.  Get enough people to share your views and agree with your opinion, and the change you want will happen.  That is how this country works.

Third.  Although the origins are still in dispute, according to many historians, the term redskin was NOT originally an offensive word.  There are a number of articles and posts claiming that the term redskin refers to the scalping of Native Americans.  However, many historians have disproved that statement, claiming that when the proclamation for the scalping of Native Americans was made by the English, the word redskin was not used.  The word came into play many years later, when a post referred to Native Americans as "red skins".  In fact, the term redskin was first used by Native Americans to distinguish themselves from the white man.  It was later thought of as derogatory, but the basis of it was not such.  In fact, the word "Indian" was used the same way as the word "redskin" to try and put down the Native Americans at the time, suggesting that Redskin was not a derogatory term, but that most portrayals of Native Americans were negative in general.  Which is why there are so many Native American schools and groups that call themselves Redskins, and do so with pride.  If the term is offensive, then the people being offended should be the first to stop using it.

Fourth, and probably the most sensitive topic.  Being offended by the word, or any word.  Words only have power when we give it to them. If enough people keep saying that a word is offensive, racial, hurtful, then over time it will become just that.  This includes the people using the words, and those that the words are directed to.  That is why certain words in the English language are thought of as taboo, or not intended for society, because of how people have given them power.  If people strip away the hate associated when encountering a word, over time it looses its strength and becomes just another word. If you don't let a word upset you, or get to you, or insult you, then you have not only stripped away any strength there is in the word, but also in the person using it in a hurtful manner.  Letting a word or phrase have an impact on you is giving up control over your own feelings and emotions, and handing over that control to the person(s) uttering those words.

Each person has to make their own choices in life, which include how or why they are offended.  I can not force anyone to not be offended by a word, I can only make sure that I myself am not offended and try to instill the same in my child.  If you find that you are so offended by the name of the Washington Redskins, fine, do something about it, stop buying their product and try and inform those around you, with education information.  What you should not do is try and force the government to step in and make Dan Snyder and the NFL change the name.  If that happens, if the government steps in, then it opens the door for them to do the same in any situation they feel like.

The name game once again

I guess this is what happens when you are not winning games and are on a bye week, thus not creating much news about your team.  The Redskins' name is back in the media, and at the front page it seems.  So let us look at the name and the issues with it.

The reason some people want the name changed is because it is a racial slur.  They say that it is a demeaning term used to put down Native Americans.  Was the word "redskin" used as a derogatory term in US history?  From many accounts, yes it was.  The actual creation of the term is in question, but there is evidence that it was used as a racial slur at some point in late 1800's and early 1900's.

Should that word be used as a team's name?   This is the big question.  If the right answer is no, then the Native American high school teams that are using it should be the first to change their names and mascots. There are 62 high schools in the United States that continue to use the redskins name, three of which have a majority of Native American students.  If the Native Americans want the name changed, I believe it should start with those 3 High Schools that are using the term.  If you want to make a change in the world, you have to start within your own group/neighborhood.  But if you ask the students of those schools, their parents, or the staff, they see it as a term for pride and honor.  Not my words, their own: "'Redskins' is not an insult to our kids. ...'Redskins' is an honorable name we wear with pride. … In fact, I'd like to see somebody come up here and try to change it," says Tim Ames, the superintendent of Wellpinit (Wash.) High School, where the student body is 91.2 percent Native American.

That brings us to the question of why is that word different than the N word? Many people are saying the two are the same, that if you can't call a team the N-words, then you shouldn't be able to call a team the Redskins.  This is a very sensitive area, and I will try not to offend anyone.  The two are not the same because people gave the N word the power that it has, both black and white people.  They continue to do so today, by treating it as a hateful word, by reacting to it and thinking about it in the same way it was used in the days of slavery.  Words only have power when we give it to them. If enough people keep saying that a word is offensive, racial, hurtful, then over time it will become just that.  This includes the people using the words, and those that the words are directed to.  That is why certain words in the English language are thought of as taboo, or not intended for society, because of how people have given them power.  If people strip away the hate associated when encountering a word, over time it looses its strength and becomes just another word. If you don't let a word upset you, or get to you, or insult you, then you have not only stripped away any strength there is in the word, but also in the person using it in a hurtful manner.  It is not an easy thing to do, because of the number of people involved and thier different views on things, but it isn't impossible.  The Native American students in those 3 High Schools have done just that.  They have changed how they view the term, and they have changed how it impacts their lives.  Instead of it being a degrading term, it has a powerful and positive association.

Perhaps we too can learn from those kids.  Perhaps we can look at certain words in a different light, and change how they have an impact on our lives.  Perhaps we can get to a point that the old children's rhyme that we all know becomes reality....

 "Sticks and stones may break my bones / But names will never hurt me"

The Redskins' Name

For years now, the Redskins organization has found itself defending the name of the team.  Every once in a while, the team is taken to court over the name, by people saying that the team should change its name, because it is a derogatory term towards Native Americans.  And for years, the courts have ruled on the side of the team, because of copyright laws and trademark cases.  This year is no different, and even some politicians have taken part in the discussion.

I personally have no issues with the name, but I am not Native American, so it doesn't matter what I think.  My wife is 1/8th Native American, and she has no problems with the team name.  I also know a number of Native Americans who do not have any problems with the name.  Does that mean the majority of people are ok with it?  Of course not, but to say that Native Americans in general find it offensive is wrong as well.

Well, it seems that for the time being the team name isn't going to change.  For one of the few times, the fans of the Redskins will find themselves liking Dan Snyder, which is a major change from years before.  According to USA Today, the owner of the Washington Redskins has said "We will never change the name of the team." "As a lifelong Redskins fan, and I think that the Redskins fans understand the great tradition and what it's all about and what it means, so we feel pretty fortunate to be just working on next season."  When asked about possibly changing his mind if the courts were to decide against him in a federal trademark lawsuit that is going on, "We'll never change the name," he said. "It's that simple. NEVER -- you can use caps."

I for one am glad to see that he is standing firm on this topic.  Granted, his reasons are probably not just because of tradition, since he will lose a lot of money if the team was forced to change its name.  Regardless, when Dan Snyder puts his mind to wanting something, history has shown that he gets it, and in this case, that would be just fine for the Washington Redskins fans.